Questions about matchmaking

[Staggiie]

Yo, so I've been back playing less than a week after taking a 14 month break. Quite a few changes to matchmaking I noticed. 

My 1st question is, how does this ELO system work when it comes to matching you against players in Ranked? Because I just got matched with the #18 player on OU leaderboards and my ELO was only in the lower 550s. (Its 547 NOW). Is it not a "your rank vs. a similar rank"? Is 550 vs a 750+ normal?

2nd question is, obviously I just came back in the middle of this season. Seasons weren't a thing last time I played so i'm wondering when season 5 ends. I looked around and learned they last 3 months (?) I just dunno when this one started.

Thanks for any info! 

EDIT: Also, the season reward, what are the requirements to get that?

 

Spoiler

proof of matching 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by Staggiie

[Imperial]

My 1st question is, how does this ELO system work when it comes to matching you against players in Ranked? Because I just got matched with the #18 player on OU leaderboards and my ELO was only in the lower 550s. (Its 547 NOW). Is it not a "your rank vs. a similar rank"? Is 550 vs a 750+ normal?

 

Usually you face players that are similar to your ELO range (e.g. Regular trainers will face novice/regular and occasionally ace trainers, Ace trainers will face regular/ace trainers, etc). However if the ladder is quiet or sometimes if you've joined the queue at the same time then you'll likely face high ELO / elite players.

2nd question is, obviously I just came back in the middle of this season. Seasons weren't a thing last time I played so i'm wondering when season 5 ends. I looked around and learned they last 3 months (?) I just dunno when this one started.

 

Seasons are usually 3 months long - season 5 started in July, so will end at the end of September. 

[Paul]

3 hours ago, Staggiie said:

Is 550 vs a 750+ normal?

The matchmaking is extremely inconsistent.

 

I was unranked and played against the #2 player back-to-back games, followed by the #73 and #3 player in the same day.

 

Ever since becoming ranked & getting as high as #52, I haven't played against anyone else in the top-100. It makes zero sense from the experience I've had. 

[Rottenko]

Yes, I feel the same way